UPDATE @ 11:10 p.m. (June 18)
Urbana police arrested a man suspected in the shooting of an Urbana man late this afternoon.
Walter Eugene Ray, 23, was arrested at Springfield Regional Hospital, where he was taken by a family member to be treated for injuries he suffered during an altercation at the home in the 600 block of South Walnut Street in Urbana, police said. The weapon believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered in Springfield. Ray will be booked into the Tri-County Jail on multiple felony charges, Urbana Police Chief Matthew Lingrell said.
The gunshot victim, 27-year-old Jimmie Huffman, was inside the home with his girlfriend and 1-year-old child, but they were not hurt, police said.
UPDATE @ 10:40 p.m. (June 18)
A woman and 1-year-old child were inside a South Walnut Street duplex today where a man was shot multiple times, Urbana Police Chief Matthew Lingrell said.
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The gunshot victim, whose name was not released, had to undergo surgery at Miami Valley Hospital, where Urbana officers tonight are waiting to talk to him about what happened. He identified Walter Eugene Ray, 23, of Springfield, as the shooter, the chief said.
Ray is in custody, Lingrell said, but the chief did not say what possible charges he faces.
South Walnut Street is normally quiet, residents said.
“I was born and raised here and shootings don’t happen very often in this town,” said Jay Funderburg, who was visiting his dad for Father’s Day when he saw police surrounding a home.
“It is a very scary situation,” he said.
Police said Ray and another man paid a visit to the duplex when an argument broke out inside.
“We do want to talk to Mr. Ray,” Lingrell said. “There’s two sides to every story and we’ve heard part of the victim’s story in this case and we’d like to hear from him.”
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The woman and baby inside the residence at the time of the shooting were not hurt, police said.
UPDATE @ 9:10 p.m. (June 18)
Urbana Police Chief Matthew Lingrell said a man wanted in connection to today’s shooting at a duplex on South Walnut Street is in custody.
Police also recovered the weapon believed to have been used, Lingrell said.
No further information was available about where the suspect, identified earlier as 23-year-old Walter Eugene Ray, was apprehended nor what charges he faces.
UPDATE @ 7 p.m. (June 18)
Urbana Police Chief Matthew Lingrell identified a man wanted in connection to today’s shooting as 23-year-old Walter Eugene Ray.
The gunshot victim was shot multiple times but was alert and talking when he was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, the chief said. The gunshot victim’s name, age and condition have not been released.
Ray is described as 5 feet, 7 inches, 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is driving a silver Hyundai SUV with Ohio license plate GMS7007. Police said he is considered armed and dangerous, and may have a woman friend with him.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call 911.
UPDATE @ 6 p.m.
We’re told Urbana Police Chief Matthew Lingrell is on his way to the scene and is expected to make a statement.
UPDATE @ 5:15 p.m.
The gunshot victim is a man, who was shot at a duplex in the 600 block of South Walnut Street, Urbana police said.
He was taken by CareFlight to a hospital for treatment.
Neighbors said they heard one gunshot and saw a man running from the house. They later saw medics bring a man out of the house on a stretcher and took him by ambulance. Neighbors said the victim appeared alert.
Dispatchers said the gunshot victim was taken to the medical helicopter that landed at the Urbana airport.
Credit: KATHERINE COLLINS / STAFF
Credit: KATHERINE COLLINS / STAFF
FIRST REPORT
A CareFlight medical helicopter is on the way for a gunshot victim in Urbana.
The shooting was reported around 4:15 p.m., according to the Urbana Police Department dispatch.
The shooting happened on South Walnut Street in Urbana. The victim is reported in stable condition.
The gunshot victim’s name and age was not available. It’s not clear what led to the incident.
According to initial reports, the suspect may be driving a 2003 black or silver Hyundai Santa Fe toward Springfield. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
We are following this developing story and will update this report.
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